Question About Qt Tank With Corydoras

[Teacup]

I am hoping to introduce some peppered or panda corydoras in with our black widow tetras soon. I have a 10g tank that can be used as a QT, which I will transfer in old filter media, etc. Because it seems that corydoras require a good established tank (and I do not want to add them directly in with my tetras without a quarantine as I have had these guys for awhile and I would hate for anything to go wrong!), would it be best to perhaps purchase a few more tetras to put in the QT for about 2 weeks, then add them in with my current tetras, and then add corydoras to the 10g QT right away (assuming that this will ensure at least a better established tank for the cories - I have never actually done a QT, so not sure if using old media actually reduces the cycle or stops the cycle from happening). Or, is it generally ok to just transfer media and then add corydoras right away...?
 
Thanks

 

[snazy]

As long as that QT tank has 0 ammonia and nitrites and doesn't go through a mini cycle, then you should be fine with the corys staying in there.  However, it's hard to say how much bacteria there will be in the mature media you transfer. Sometimes it's enough, sometimes not.
I'd suggest a different approach. Get some pure ammonia(like kleen off or whichever you can find that doesn't contain any additives, just water and ammonia solution, normally to 9% or 9.5%. It shouldn't foam when shaken). Then dose the QT with 2-3 ppm ammonia for a few days and make sure the mature media does bring the levels to 0 each day. At least you'd be sure they'll be no spikes when you add the corys, same for new tetras too.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

+1 to Snazy's suggestion.

 

[cpwebsite]

Using Prime is a great way to keep the levels of the tank safe while the fish are there. Just put in prime every 24 hours, (a little overdose is safe), however, you can keep your fish safe in case of mini-cycle with prime. Best of luck!

 

[Joshwainwright]

Yeah, fishless cycling the quarantine so it can deal with more ammonia than it will need to is a good idea

 
 
Then there's no risk of a min-cycle or any spikes 

 

[Teacup]

Thanks all - I'll try the fishless cycle method and I will get some prime (I'm guessing our lfs will have that). Once all looks good in the QT, I'll add in the cories. What about Tetra SafeStart - any benefit to using this as well?